Matthew J. LaPine, Early Childhood and Voice, is an educator, conductor, and composer in central New Jersey. He received the designation Master of Music in Choral Conducting and Music Education from Westminster Choir College of Rider University, where he graduated with distinction. He also received his Bachelor of Music in Music Education from Westminster, graduating summa cum laude and was the winner of the Sophomore Piano Competition. As a conductor, Mr. LaPine has been the rehearsal assistant for the Westminster Jubilee Singers, and he has led rehearsals of the Westminster Symphonic Choir. His work with James Jordan includes teaching, conducting, and working as his graduate assistant with such ensembles as the Westminster Schola Cantorum and Westminster Williamson Voices. He has studied piano with Lillian Livingston, Francis McGuigan, and Ann Marie Nowak, voice with Marvin Keenze and Sonia Funk-Olin, and composition with Jay Kawarsky.

Mr. LaPine has been published in multiple works. He is featured as a contributing author to Teaching Music Through Performance in Choir: Volume 2, as well as Teaching Music Through Performance in Middle School Choir (forthcoming), both published by GIA. He contributed the chapter “Prognosticating the Choral Ensemble’s Ear” to The Choral Rehearsal: Volume One, and the chapter “Schenkerian Analysis as an Analytical Tool for the Choral Conductor” in Inward Bound – The Choral Rehearsal: Volume Two, both books are authored by James Jordan and published by GIA. Additionally, Mr. LaPine created an edition of Brahms’ Fest- und Gedenksprüche, which features a scholarly edition of the work with a complete Harmonic Immersion SolfegeTM analysis. It will be available as part of the Evoking Sound Choral Series, published by GIA.

Mr. LaPine is currently the Director of Music Education for Music in the Somerset Hills, new organization whose mission is to enhance the richness and depth of the cultural offerings in the Somerset Hills and surrounding communities.  Mr. LaPine is a member of the National Association for Music Education, New Jersey Music Educators Association, American Choral Directors Association, the New Jersey chapter of ACDA, Music Teachers National Association, and New Jersey Music Teachers Association.  Conservatory faculty since 2002.